Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process which helps us build the skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. (CASEL)
PSWs respond to emergency situations at school to help ensure student safety. We can be part of the school and/or district crisis team. In addition to helping stabilize students' emotions with Psychological First Aid, we can help determine if students need additional mental health support.
Helping students learn to appropriately resolve conflicts can be done with peer mediation training and with small skill-based counseling groups. PSWs regularly visit classrooms with presentations that help students with their problem-solving skills.
School Social Workers collaborate with School Psychologists, Pupil Service and Attendance counselors, and other staff members to care for students' mental and emotional health.